GOVERNOR DEAL: SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN GEORGIA

(ATLANTA) – To ensure all Georgians are prepared for emergencies, Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month. Throughout the month, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s (GEMHSA) Ready Georgia campaign is encouraging all Georgia residents to take simple actions to prepare before disasters strike.

Ready Georgia promotes three simple steps to prepare for emergencies: be informed about potential threats; make a plan for communicating and reconnecting with family members if you are separated during an emergency; and build a kit of emergency supplies that allows families to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours following a disaster.

According to a recent statewide survey conducted by GEMHSA, only one in four Georgians are fully prepared for an emergency. Survey results also demonstrated many Georgia residents have not taken two critical steps toward being ready: only 39 percent have arranged a meeting place or reconnection plan with their families, while 53 percent have assembled an emergency kit for their home.

“National Preparedness Month is the time for all Georgians to take action,” said GEMHSA Director Jim Butterworth. “Emergencies can affect us anywhere and at any time. Taking at least one simple action to become better prepared makes you, your family and your community more resilient when the worst happens.”

Preparedness is not an all-or-nothing proposition, as each preparedness action adds to a household’s resilience in the face of severe weather events and other emergencies. The survey reveals that while most Georgians need to be more prepared for emergencies, the vast majority (79 percent) of the state’s residents are at least somewhat prepared for a large-scale disaster or emergency. This is a 26 percent increase in preparedness since the Ready Georgia campaign launched in 2008.

Additional survey results indicated the preparedness action that most Georgians have taken is safely storing important documents (67 percent), followed by maintaining at least half of a tank of gas (57 percent) and making a list of important contact phone numbers and sharing those with family members (55 percent).

To make preparing easier, Ready Georgia offers a Ready profile tool on its website and mobile app. Creating a profile allows Georgians to develop a tailored communications plan and supplies checklist and have it with them wherever they go.

One planned activity for September is the official search for Georgia’s preparedness heroes – those people we all know who are ready for anything. For this contest, GEMHSA is asking the public to nominate their friends, family and co-workers who are stocking supplies, learning first aid, practicing emergency procedures and taking other important steps to prepare for the unexpected.

– Social Media: Post a photo and short description on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #GAMostPrepared. Or, share a nomination via direct message to GEMHSA on Facebook or Twitter.

Photo nominations will be posted in a Facebook album and the winner will be the person who receives the most likes. The person chosen as “Georgia’s Most Prepared” will receive recognition and prizes including a certificate from GEMHSA Director Jim Butterworth, a $100 gift card from TruPrep, feature article promoted by the agency and a stocked Ready kit including a NOAA Weather Radio to be gifted to a loved one.

For more information about National Preparedness Month activities, visit www.ready.ga.gov.

About Ready Georgia

Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences.